Since entering the electric car market in 2016, the Bolt has had the wind in its sails. Until a battery manufacturing problem caused it to lose some of its luster.
At least 15 electric Bolt vehicles have caught fire in the United States in recent years. Three people were injured.
Last August, GM launched a major global recall of its electric Bolt. All batteries in all electric BOLT vehicles must be replaced, regardless of model year. We can read in this recall that the batteries have: […] a risk of fire when loaded to or very close to their maximum capacity…
Is the car safe? Can I still ride it?
, worries Marcel Thibault.
More than 128,000 vehicles are affected by this recall in North America, including 18,000 in Canada.
While waiting for the new battery, GM customers can continue to drive their car, provided they follow a series of recommendations. Recommendations that many Bolt owners consider too restrictive, because they limit the autonomy of the car and cause many headaches when it comes time to recharge the vehicle in a garage or in an indoor parking lot.
Marcel Thibault deplores the conditions of use of his Bolt.
Photo: Radio-Canada
Owners must in particular: park outside immediately after charging and not leave the vehicle charging inside overnight.
« Restrictions are piling up. My autonomy is reduced. So there it starts to be a problem. »
Another major irritant, Marcel Thibault still does not know, more than four months after the recall was triggered, when his battery will finally be replaced.
I called General Motors […] I said, “Well, look, this is problematic. I’m working with the car. The charge is in the garage. It’s a building. There’s a fire hazard.” [On m’a répondu] : “Listen sir, your turn is coming.” But without information […] we feel abandoned. Really, we feel left out. It’s like we’re not a priority
, says Marcel Thibault.
Too risky for this client
Steven Bédard bought his 2020 Bolt last spring with confidence.
« I had been certified by the seller […] that there were no more problems [de batteries] with the 2020s, that was settled. »
What was his surprise when last summer, during a trip to the Chic-Chocs, he detected a disturbing odor after having quickly recharged his vehicle.
I board the vehicle [il y a] a very strong smell of sulfur inside the vehicle. It smelled like burnt battery really. Me, I’m an electrical mechanic, then I repair forklifts, so a burning smell from a burning battery, I know what it smells like […] that’s exactly what it smelled like in my car
, remembers Steven Bédard.
The new Bolt owner then drives to a GM-Chevrolet dealership, but no problems are found.
When he received the reminder letter from GM last August, it was too much. Consumed by worry, Steven Bédard sells his Bolt, five months after buying it.
Steven Bédard lives in the heart of Sainte-Anne de Beaupré, in a neighborhood where many houses are centuries old.
Photo: Radio-Canada
« It’s too restrictive because I don’t have a place to park the vehicle. I couldn’t risk there being a fire here, on my street, all the houses are stuck together. Risking my family’s life, basically, I couldn’t do that at all. »
He sold his car at a loss.000$”,”text”:”I lost $12000″}}”>I lost $12,000, says Steven Bédard.
Low fire risk, but GM’s management comes under fire
The Automobile Protection Association (APA) wants to reassure Bolt drivers. According to the APA, the risk of fire is minimal.
« We believe that the risk of using the car while waiting for the batteries is very, very low. It’s reasonable to believe that we can use the car under the conditions dictated by GM. »
George Iny, president of the APA.
Photo: Radio-Canada
The APA believes that GM made the right choice in making the decision to proceed with this colossal recall and to replace all the batteries.
The APA, however, denounces the management of this recall by GM. According to George Iny, president of the APA, the communications seem improvised and confusion reigns over the instructions that GM gives to Bolt owners.
« You are given all these somewhat contradictory instructions, and work with them until you get a phone call from your dealership. »
The APA also denounces the fact that GM does not offer any compensation to Bolt owners, who nevertheless have to juggle with significant constraints. They did not live up to the inconvenience they caused. It’s a shame because, in the end, it’s a very good car
, underlines George Iny, president of the APA.
GM denies these accusations
General Motors declined our interview request, but its spokesperson Philippe-André Bisson explains by email: Our engineers worked day and night to make sure there were never any more possible fires […] we must ensure the safety of our customers, but unfortunately this takes time and it is a situation that cannot be resolved in a few days.
Electric vehicle charging operation.
Photo: Radio-Canada
GM also specifies that customers will benefit, at the end of the operation, from a latest-generation battery that will extend the life of their vehicle.
And the American manufacturer adds that it provides cash compensation for unused parking or even service cars, for those who need it. However, this is not the story that the Association for the protection of motorists receives from its members.
« [GM] tells the media that he provides a car for people who cannot park outside. But in fact, that’s not what the public tells us. »
Disappointed customers
Marcel Thibault and Steven Bédard claim to have received no offer or any form of compensation from GM.
He should have at least an allowance that should be allocated or that they send us, I don’t know me, a recharge card with an electric circuit […] due to the autonomy which is restricted… It would already be an honorable gesture. But there is nothing, deplores Marcel Thibault. I’m still happy with the car, but everything that comes with it is a total disappointment.
Steven Bédard, meanwhile, has completely lost faith in GM. GM doesn’t give a damn about its customers […] I’m never ever going to buy a GM again, it’s over. It’s the first, it’s the last.
GM plans to replace all batteries by the end of the first quarter of 2022
GM is hopeful of replacing all batteries in all electric Bolt cars by the end of March 2022.
In the meantime, GM specifies that a software update is now available for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 models. An update which makes it possible to alleviate certain constraints and to load your vehicle again safely inside overnight, while waiting for the battery to be replaced.
The report by Annie Hudon-Friceau and France Larocque is broadcast on The bill Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on ICI Télé.
This is why we tried to warn people that electric vehicles are a fire risk. The solution is don’t listen to EV advocates and stay away from electric vehicles period. I knew someone who had an electric vehicle, Tesla and that burned down his home. Started in the garage and thankfully he and his family is safe but these people pushing electric vehicles are not telling the truth on how dangerous these electric vehicles really are.